South Korea · Drama · 2022
Connect
Binge Brief
- Connect released all six episodes on Disney+ on 7 December 2022.
- The series was directed by Japanese filmmaker Takashi Miike, known for horror and extreme cinema.
- Episode runtimes range from 37 to 47 minutes.
- Jung Hae-in stars as Ha Dong-soo opposite Go Kyung-pyo as Oh Jin-seop.
Synopsis
Connect is a 2022 South Korean sci-fi thriller series directed by Japanese filmmaker Takashi Miike for Disney+, based on a screenplay by Masaru Nakamura and Ha-dam. It follows Ha Dong-soo (Jung Hae-in), a quiet tattoo artist whose body has a rare self-healing ability. When an organ-trafficking gang kidnaps him and harvests one of his eyes for transplant, Dong-soo survives the attack but loses the eye for good.
Dong-soo soon realizes he can still see through that eye even though it is no longer his, because it has been transplanted into Oh Jin-seop (Go Kyung-pyo), a serial killer who turns his victims' bodies into grotesque works of art. The connection forces Dong-soo to witness Jin-seop's killings firsthand through the stolen eye, and he sets out to track the killer down both to stop him and to take back what was taken from his own body.
Choi I-rang (Kim Hye-jun), a woman with her own troubled past, becomes entangled in Dong-soo's search and pushes him to confront what his unusual ability has cost him over the years, while detectives close in on Jin-seop from their own direction. The chase forces Dong-soo to decide how far he is willing to go to stop a killer he is bound to through a piece of his own body.
Connect ran for six episodes, all released together on Disney+ on 7 December 2022, with each installment named after the show's title: "Connection," "Conjunction," "Composition," "Confession," "Concoction" and "Confusion."
Connect cast
Best scenes
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Ha Dong Soo's shocking realization that he can see through his stolen eye creates one of the most intense and unforgettable moments.
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The rooftop confrontation between Ha Dong Soo and Oh Jin Seop is a high-tension battle showcasing both horror and action.
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The eerie first appearance of Oh Jin Seop as a serial killer highlights Go Kyung Pyo’s chilling transformation.
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The psychological struggle inside Dong Soo when he watches the murders through his stolen eye adds deep emotional horror.
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The final showdown between Dong Soo and Jin Seop, filled with suspense and dark visuals, leaves a lasting impact on viewers.
Filming locations
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Major urban scenes were filmed in Seoul’s darker, lesser-known neighborhoods to create a gritty, haunting atmosphere.
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Indoor hospital and lab scenes were shot in real abandoned medical facilities around South Korea.
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Alleyways and rooftops used in chase scenes emphasize the claustrophobic urban setting.
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The scenes showing Dong Soo’s capture and organ harvesting were filmed on specially designed horror sets.
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Nighttime street scenes with neon lights enhance the dystopian, cyberpunk feel of the series.
Visual design and costumes
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Ha Dong Soo’s simple, rugged outfits reflect his desperate fight for survival and isolation.
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Oh Jin Seop’s clean, formal attire contrasts sharply with his dark, monstrous nature.
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Dark, muted color palettes dominate the visuals, enhancing the series' eerie, horror tone.
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Realistic prosthetics and body horror elements create gruesome but highly detailed visual effects.
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The gritty urban design, combined with futuristic and horror aesthetics, gives the series a unique "dark sci-fi" vibe.
Themes and messages
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Identity and humanity are questioned as Dong Soo struggles between being human and being a Connect.
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The exploitation of the vulnerable and illegal organ trafficking are harsh societal critiques.
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The loss of bodily autonomy is a chilling message underlying the entire story.
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Friendship and betrayal emerge when Dong Soo searches for trust in a world filled with deception.
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The thin line between monster and victim is explored deeply through both Dong Soo and Jin Seop’s characters.
Interesting facts
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Connect marks legendary Japanese director Takashi Miike’s first Korean drama project.
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Jung Hae In performed many of his own stunts, including intense chase and fight scenes.
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The drama is based on a Korean webtoon of the same name by Shin Dae Sung.
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The show gained international attention for its unique blend of Korean horror and sci-fi elements.
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Go Kyung Pyo’s performance as a terrifying serial killer earned critical acclaim for its chilling realism.
Real-life loves on set
There were no real-life romantic relationships reported between the cast members of Connect (2022). Although the drama showcased intense emotions and psychological tension, especially between Jung Hae In's character Ha Dong Soo and the world around him, there were no dating rumors or confirmed off-screen romances involving the main actors like Jung Hae In, Go Kyung Pyo, or Kim Hye Joon. Their chemistry remained strictly professional, focusing on delivering powerful performances within the dark and thrilling story.
Episodes
| Ep | Title | Air date | Status | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Connection Tattoo artist Ha Dong-soo loses an eye in a violent attack by an organ-trafficking gang, and after the transplant he starts seeing through the eyes of a murdered artist. | 7 Dec 2022 | Aired | |
| 2 | Conjunction Still linked to the dead man's vision, Dong-soo sets out to track down the killer behind the corpse-art murder. | 7 Dec 2022 | Aired | |
| 3 | Composition Dong-soo becomes a suspect in the case himself, while the real killer realizes someone else is watching through his victim's eye. | 7 Dec 2022 | Aired | |
| 4 | Confession Dong-soo admits the truth to Detective Choi, I-rang reveals a secret of her own, and Jin-seop lays a trap for him. | 7 Dec 2022 | Aired | |
| 5 | Concoction With the odds stacked against him, Dong-soo scrambles to save both Z and the junkyard owner from Jin-seop. | 7 Dec 2022 | Aired | |
| 6 | Confusion I-rang and Detective Choi head for Jin-seop's atelier, but their conflicting agendas throw the plan into chaos. | 7 Dec 2022 | Aired |
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